Should Longport Repair or Rebuild Borough Hall?

Longport resident feedback will help determine whether Borough Hall is repaired or replaced with a new building.

The Longport Board of Commissioners is looking for a small group of volunteers to help decide the future of Longport’s Borough Hall.

During summer 2019, mold was discovered in the court room/ commission chambers as well as the Centennial Room located on the second floor. Remediation work in the two rooms also includes the removal of asbestos.

The governing body is now considering whether or not the former Betty Bacharach
Home for Afflicted Children, constructed in the 1920s, should be demolished and
replaced with a new building.

Longport Borough Hall offices moved into the building in 1990 and have been operating there for the past 30 years. Another option would be to continue with repairs and preserve the almost 100-year old building for future generations.

The governing body is looking for volunteers have who interest or that may have
expertise in different fields such as construction, planning, historic preservation,
architecture and other related fields regarding the future of borough hall

“Longport residents have a crucial voice in determining the future of what Longport
looks like. Whether that includes the construction of a new Borough Hall or if it means preserving the nearly 100-year old building for future generations. Numerous factors need to be taken into consideration when deciding the fate of this building and our local residents must be a part of the decision process,” said Mayor Nick Russo.

Numerous factors need to be taken into consideration in this decision. Alternate borough solicitor, Pacifico “Pat” Agnellini explained, “The building should be salvageable. It certainly would be cheaper to fix it than to tear it down and re-build it.

The question I have is, what building do you build?

What does Longport government look like in 10 years given everything that the State is trying to do with respect to consolidating municipalities and services in municipalities. If you build a building that covers 2305 Atlantic Avenue Longport, New Jersey 08403 everything it covers now, only to find out five years from now, you’re not covering all services. That is the challenge.”

Those interested in serving on this committee: Contact municipal clerk’s office: 609.823.2731 or email: clerk@longportnj.us.

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